Spring/Summer 2013

Spring/Summer 2013

Education Letter A publication of the Faculty of Education Spring/Summer 2013 The Many Faces … The Many Faces of Community Outreach . 1 Community Outreach and Public Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education . 4 The Many Faces of The Queen’s Faculty of Education Community Outreach Community Outreach Centre: History and Development . 8 Queen’s Community Outreach A NOTE OF WELCOME FROM THE GUEST EDITOR, Lynda E.C. Colgan Centre: An Evaluation of Three Signature Initiatives . 14 met Shirley Fairfield on Tuesday September 8, 1992. That was the date of my first day as Learning Math and I Mathematics Coordinator for the Board of Education for the City of Scarborough, and the Loving it! . 25 day that my professional life was changed forever. Within moments of sitting at my new desk, Shirley suggested that I attend a Family Math The Power of Informal Science program later that week. I agreed, not knowing what Family Math was, or how it could Learning . 29 possibly relate to my role or career. Two days later, when I entered the gymnasium at Alexmuir P.S., I knew immediately Inspiring the Next Generation that I was in the midst of a significant transformative educational experience. The gym of Scientists, Innovators and was magical: an explosion of colour, activity and sound. Balloon bouquets marked activity Engineers . 33 centres spread across the floor. At one, parents and children solved toothpick strategy puzzles; at another, they sought out numerical patterns on calendars. In one corner, families Science as Art in used string to determine members’ body type: perfect square, tall or short rectangle. Contemporary Theater . 37 Diagonally opposite, giant tans took centre stage as letters, numbers and animals were pieced together using the rules of the ancient Chinese tangram puzzles. Along the way, On the Diversity of Research families were challenged by puzzles and problems that involved everyday conundrums: Partnerships and their Challenges in Social measuring without a ruler; determining the height of a tree; calculating change at a bake sale without Science . 41 a calculator; deciding how much water to take on a camping trip; doubling recipes; wrapping presents without wasting gift wrap; and, planning a garden. Interpreting Science for the … continues on page 2 Public, Fostering Critical Thinking and Separating Sense from Nonsense . 45 1 … continued from page 1 What I recall vividly, more than one quarter century later, was that laughter, engagement, and teamwork were consistent elements of the cross-generational learning that was taking place. My professional philosophy was born then and there: 1 Mathematics content must be contextual, purposeful, and relevant. There should be hands-on and heads-in components in every opportunity to learn: physical manipulatives, models, and experiments are the building blocks of cognitive activities such as conjecturing, observing, extrapolating and explaining. 2 Curriculum was richest when integrated: music and movement illuminate fractions and transformational geometry and history comes alive when applied mathematicians like photographer Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, Underground Railroad Conductor Harriet Tubman and author Jonathan Swift set the stage for learning. 3 Fun, laughter, enthusiasm and curiosity are co-requisites to learning. 4 Every child has many teachers, parents, peers, educational assistants, siblings and professional educators, each of whom makes unique and distinct contributions to learning, growth and development. 5 Classrooms can be within the walls of a school or be defined by playgrounds or natural expanses, having no physical boundaries. 6 Meaningful instruction can be planned or spontaneous when a knowledgeable, passionate and creative teacher is the facilitator. Shirley’s invitation to a Family Math helped me to set my professional compass and plan my professional journey: one that has brought me to my role as Coordinator of the Queen’s Faculty of Education Community Outreach Centre (QCOC), where I have the privilege and pleasure to enact my philosophy daily while working to achieve the QCOC’s goal to improve the outcomes for children and youth who are “at-risk” in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) education and literacy. The authors who contributed their perspectives, expertise, experience and enthusiasm to this special edition of The Education Letter focusing on Community Outreach have written excellent pieces that showcase and complement the many exciting STEM initiatives undertaken at the QCOC: public education events, informal learning environments, extracurricular engagement projects, community-university research collaborations, art- based mathematics programs, and family involvement series. They represent the academy and the community: a balance that reflects the fact that the QCOC values and respects the assets and diversity of each. 2 I would like to extend to them my sincere appreciation for their individual commitment to this group effort. And to the readers of this special Community Outreach edition, I extend this wish: may you find in these articles the concretization of Margaret Mead’s famous quote “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” We use a paper doll chain to represent the work of the Community Outreach Centre . The chain’s diminishing perspective is to show inclusiveness of all ages . The figures’ raised arms are meant to form an invitational arch, while their interconnected limbs show mutual support and respect . The alternating colours and genders are to symbolize diversity, inclusivity and the collective identity made possible through community-university collaborations . 3 Community Outreach and Public Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education GARY GOODYEAR, Minister of State for Science and Technology Gary Goodyear was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006 and 2008. On October 30, 2008, he was appointed Minister of State for Science and Technology, and on August 13, 2009, he was named Minister of State responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Prior to entering federal politics, he practiced chiropractic medicine and worked as an advisor to investment firms in the biomedical industry. Dr. Goodyear attended the University of Waterloo, specializing in kinesiology and psychology, before graduating from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. He worked his way through university as a meat packer and labourer. ast fall, the Council of Canadian Academies reported on the state of Canadian science L and technology (S&T). It concluded it was healthy, growing, internationally competitive and very well respected. The council surveyed more than 5,000 international researchers, who ranked Canada’s S&T as fourth in the world, behind that of the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. With less than half a percent of the global population, Canada produces more than 4 percent of the world’s scientific papers and nearly 5 percent of the world’s most frequently cited papers. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Canada continues to lead the G7 in higher-education expenditures on research and development, expressed as a percentage of GDP. We are also attracting top talent from abroad. Over the past decade, there has been a net migration of researchers into the country. We can now have brain gain in Canada rather than the brain drain we experienced in late 1990s. Clearly, Canada is punching well above its weight in scientific expertise. We can take pride in this tremendous accomplishment, as Canadians and as members of the global community. Scientific advancement knows no borders. It benefits everyone. As Minister of State for Science and Technology, I want to ensure that we continue to strengthen our envious position by promoting innovation, attracting high-quality researchers and encouraging a culture of investigation and discovery. Today’s young 4 scientific explorers will be the next generation of Canadian innovators, entrepreneurs and problem solvers. We must nurture their passion and curiosity about the world. To do that, we have in place an array of programs to inspire them. Consider, for example, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s PromoScience program. It helps children develop valuable critical thinking skills, meet role models and gain hands-on exposure to science: whether learning about ecosystems while on a hike with a scientist or mulling over futuristic machines at a robot camp. In 2012, 49 organizations, including universities, non-governmental organizations, museums and science centres, received new funding under the program to help bring science alive for young Canadians. In Southern Ontario, the Youth STEM Initiative — Youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — is helping young people recognize the rewards of an education or career in the sciences. Through Youth STEM, FedDev Ontario, the Harper government’s economic development agency for Southern Ontario, provides investments that help not-for-profit organizations deliver science education programs in schools and at events throughout the region. With our support, these organizations allow students to discover science through hands-on activities, workshops and interaction with scientists in their own

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